CLOSED FOR REPAIRS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 121, 15 February 1941, Page 13

CLOSED FOR REPAIRS

Decision Concerning Gorge Road

INSPECTION BY MINISTER

A statement that the Ngahauranga Gorge Road was to be closed over the weekend for repairs, and that in the meantime the public would be required to use the alternative routes, was made yesterday by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Semple, after an inspection of tile road. The Minister of Public Works, Mr. Armstrong, said that though one side of the road was usable now, it was desired to keep traffic off to avoid any risk of danger to tlie travelling public, and also to allow the maximum amount of work to be done in the least possible time.

Referring to the damage done, Mr. Armstrong said that the abnormal rainfall experienced! during tile last few days brought down more water in the gorge titan had been known tor years. He said that his engineers had inspected the road, in company with Mr. .Semple, and the Commissioner of Transport, and as a result of that inspection, Mr. Semple, by the powers conferred on him as Minister of Transport, made the decision to close the road.

"The cause of the damage, which was quite unforeseen, was the blocking of the culvert by a slip brought about, by the toe of the hill being washed away,” said Hie Minister. "The water flooded over the .side of the culvert and took its course down the road, washing out the footpath for a considerable distance and breaking over the side, where there was a big filling. 'l’lie water lias washed away half the road for a distance of a couple of chains. "Tlie Public Works Department is on tile job witli power-driven units, an'd will work over (lie weekend in order that Hie job will lie expedited.”